beech

[turningfool]

i have a friend whos thinkng on logging off some acerage loaded with large beech trees,any clue as to the going rate for this species today?

[Jeff]

Its likely to be at the bottom of the barrel for stumpage prices.

[Night Raider]

I sold some in 2006 (just at the peak of the log market) and the price was low then, around $200/mbf I think, they only took a few trees they were mostly taking hard maple.  We don't have much of a market for it here, but I'm sure it's dropped from there.

[John Mc]

No market for it around here. It does make good firewood, and it's a nice source of food for wildlife.

[thedeeredude]

I think beech is an undervalued species...unfortunately.  Quartersawn beech is very pretty and once its dry it doesn't jump around much.  If it is high quality beech, specialty plane makers need that sort of thing.  If he wants to go to that length, contact Clark and Williams plane makers and ask  the sizes commonly needed and details on the stock required.  I think beech flooring with knots and color in it would be great, too.  I just think its a shame that such a beautiful wood is often sent for pallets and ties, but I fully understand that there's no big market.  You might just call me a.......beech nut   Corny, I know

[Shotgun]

Ahhh yes, beech.  Enjoy it while you can.  Beech bark disease is coming to a beech forest near you.  It's the Dutch elm disease of beech trees.  Sad, but true.     

Norm

[SwampDonkey]

The disease has been in these parts for decades. Only in far NW New Brunswick is it still relatively disease free, where the climate is colder. There wasn't much beech on the farm here, I can only remember understory trees. On my uncle's ground it was and is still abundant, mostly regen now since the ones of size were put into firewood. Does it ever regenerate thick.  I think it was once prized for sled runners here as was ironwood.

I've always wondered if sapsucker wasn't partly responsible for spreading the disease as it pecks on a diseased beech and moves to a clear one and pecks. Maybe not, but seems possible to me. I know scale is the primary culprit responsible for it's spread.

[woodmills1]

maybe you could sell it to Budweiser

[Sawyerfortyish]

I'll second the remark on beech making real nice flooring. The bigger the older the nicer color. I've cut some that the heart of the tree could be mistaken for cherry. Altho I've never made any beech flooring it's on my list to try.

[fishpharmer]

I like that idea, Woodmills.

 

[WH_Conley]

My living room is paneled with beech that has some spalt. Looks good, wasn't as dry as I thought it was, after putting the wood stove up.

[Ron Scott]

Beech along with most sawlogs haven't been selling well if at all. The current State average stumpage price in northern Lower Michigan is $50.00/MBF, but the price varies daily depending upon specific locale and markets.

Large beech trees usually don't make for much volume in quality sawlogs. They are often better left for wildlife mast, den, snag, and cavity trees. The are popular with porcupines for den trees.

[Corley5]

Last I checked beech tie logs were bringing 90 bucks a cord at the mill.  Processed into firewood it'll bring 180 

[turningfool]

ty,for all of the replies..will have him check around ..might even turn some if i can find some that is spalted

[deutz4]

Beech has always seemed to be a quality wood without a home. Back when we had the mill running, our grade buyer told us that one of their best customers used it to make test tube stands because it resisted staining. He also kept an eye out for highly figured beech for guitar makers. It does have a nasty propensity to twist while air drying.
Have been working on the west side of the state this spring and am surprised by how much more infected the trees are there.

[woodmills1]

I always thought industrial kitchen counters and butcherblock were made of beech, but a quick search did not show that to be true.

[woodmills1]

got my market report today

beech listed southern hardwood only green

this is lumber not trees

Fas 4/4 $445/1000

   6/4 505/1000 

      4/4 #3a  215/1000



not listed in the kiln dried section


appalation beech FAS boards

$500 to 550 from 4/4 to 8/4

not in appalation kiln dried

northern beech lumber
FAS 585 to 655
not in the kiln dried also